RICHARDSON – The Richardson Masonic Lodge will host an Open House and Family Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 27, to introduce the public to the inner workings of a Masonic Lodge, answer questions about Masonry and discuss reasons why Masonry is the oldest and largest fraternity in the world.

The lodge is at 528 Lockwood Lane in Richardson.

 Men join Masonry to enjoy fellowship and worthwhile activities with other men who share similar values, including belief in God, religious tolerance, civic-mindedness, charitable giving and support for law enforcement, the military and public schools, a press release stated.

 Public education in Texas was begun by Masons, and the first lodges in Texas housed the first school rooms. Men participate in Masonry to become better men?thereby increasing in knowledge, understanding, wisdom and leadership in their homes and in their communities.

 Many of the founders of both the United States and the Republic of Texas were Masons, including George Washington, Paul Revere, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, Douglas MacArthur, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin. The first Masonic Lodges in Texas were formed in 1836, and there are more than 900 lodges and more than 90,000 Masons in Texas.

Masonry provides world-class medical care, regardless of ability to pay, through its world-renowned medical institutions, including the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, the Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston, and the Shriners Burn Institute in Galveston, as well as other medical institutions throughout the United States and in other countries. In the U.S. alone, Masons contribute more than $3 million each day to charity, in treatment, services and other charitable giving.

The Richardson lodge shares its building with two other Masonic Lodges and several Masonic-appendant and affiliated organizations, including Washington Masonic Lodge, Eagle Masonic Lodge, York Rite Chapter & Council, Order of Easter Star for women, Order of Rainbow for girls ages 11 to 20, and Order of DeMolay for boys ages 12 to 21. The other organizations also will be featured at the event.

Attire: Casual                                                
Cost: Free
Snacks: Provided  
Children: Welcome                            
Facility: Disabled friendly